Tuesday, September 18, 2007

rejoicing

Dear friends and family...

I thought in the quiet of my hospital room I would update you a little.

Copeland is currently resting in the NICU. We are so blessed to have had her even these few short hours... it's been immeasurably more than we could have asked or imagined. I would ask you, if you read this sometime soon, to pray specifically for her ability to eat. We do know that she is not equipped to breathe at the same time she tries to suck/swallow, so bottle-feeding is not an option. The neonatologist is going to come and meet with us in the next hour or so to discuss possible alternatives. Of course, this news makes me a little unnerved. Please pray we will have wisdom about what direction to take.

I will tell you that she is doing quite well at this moment, all things considered. Her APGAR scores were high, certainly higher than we could have hoped for. Her color is outstanding, her little fists do open and close, and she does breathe on her own... she has since she was delivered. We can't really believe it! But we also know that every cell in her body is affected by this diagnosis and we know that even now the Lord has appointed a time to take her home. Please pray we can enjoy each moment without fear, without a sense of dread or even uncertainty... that we can embrace the facts the Lord has given us right now, the facts that she is doing well and is thriving as best as a trisomy-18 baby can. They have predicted that we might even take her home; we don't rest in that, but obviously are anxious to see just what the Lord plans for her life.

All that to say: thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers. We didn't get the miracle we perhaps most longed for, in her perfect healing, but every moment with her has been miraculous. Sellers is doing well, loved meeting her little sister, and is enjoying her "vacation" at her grandparents' home. Conor and I are at peace. We would simply ask you to rejoice in God's provision thus far and to pray He will equip us moment by moment to carry whatever burden comes along the road.

Much love...

Boothe

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

My love to you both, Boothe and Conor. You are an inspiration to me and so many others - the way your faith has remained steadfast through everything is amazing. I loved meeting your precious Copeland - she truly is beautiful - she IS a miracle. My prayers continue...
Love, Patrice

Anonymous said...

Boothe-

Praying, praying, praying for you right now, for your requests and more. Congratulations on the birth of your sweet little Copeland. What a blessing she is!

Emily said...

Thank you for taking this sacred time to update us on how to specifically pray. I have been talking to the Lord about you all day, so I am thrilled to know just what to ask for now. There are no words to describe the joy my heart is filled with, just to hear from you all and to know that God is working miracle after miracle among you. You have far more blessed things to do than read comments though. I pray you are literally breathing Copeland in every second you possibly can. God's grace is sufficient for you and I pray you feel that in every moment. Kiss that girl for me.


Emily
www.caringbridge.org/visit/millergracecassetty

Whitney Akin said...

Love you so much, B. Still praying for your time with Copeland. Can't wait to talk soon.

Ginny Mooney said...

Welcome Copeland! We have prayed so fervently for you & your family. We continue to. Please know the Mooneys are her for you guys if you need anything.
Matt & Ginny (eliot's parents:))

Melissa P. said...

amazing! thank you for taking some of your precious moments to update us. continuing to pray for your time with your girl and will add these specific requests to my prayers. we serve a mighty God and i am asking that you might rest in His arms tonight. blessings to all FOUR of you!

Tamara said...

So excited to hear she is breathing on her own, that is so exciting!!! Sending prayers!!!

Anonymous said...

Praying for your family as you talk to the neonatologist tonight. Copeland is loved by so many.

Sincerely,
a friend of a friend

Darby said...

Thank you for the update and for the specific prayer request for her feedings! It truly does help to know how to pray more specifically for her. Boothe, how are you feeling? I'm praying for your healing too! I'm off to pray right now.

Jennifer said...

You don't know me but we have some mutual friends...Melissa Platt, Lesley Ann Owen, and The Lundy Family. I have been praying for you and your family all day. Praise God that Copeland is breathing on her own!!! Thank you for updating us and helping us know how to specifically pray for your family tonight. We will continue praying!!!!!

LWB said...

Boothe,

What special moments for your family; I pray for more. I haven't been able to stop thinking about your family all day. Praying for you guys and rejoicing with you in Copeland's birth.

With Love,
Laurie (Wunder) Bolden

Jenna said...

Continuing to pray for your sweet family and that precious little babe!

Love, Jenna

Anonymous said...

Praying for you all!! I will pray specifically for your needs now, and a peace and joy that you can't question but know it is of God! I'm so elated about how things are going!
I pray too that you and Conor are connected emotionally and spiritually now when decisions are needing to be made on how to help sweet Copeland best.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the birth of a beautiful little girl! We have been thinking and praying for you guys all day. We will continue praying for little Copeland and for her loving parents and sister. You guys are so loved and prayed for. We pray for many precious moments for yall with Copeland. May God fill you with peace.
Love,
Friend of a friend too

Anonymous said...

Many prayers comming your way!

Blessings,
Laura

fkchorale said...

Dear Boothe & Conor,

I've been following your story and praying for the two of you, Copeland, Sellers, and your extended family. I'm getting the news of Copeland's birth a little late tonight but know that I am rejoicing with you and thanking God that you have had the opportunity to hold your beautiful little girl. You have been in my thoughts many times over the last three months and especially today...Happy Birthday, sweet baby Copeland. I will continue to keep you close in my heart and prayers.

Love to all-
Fran Kirkpatrick

Anonymous said...

Sweet Farley Family, what an honor it is to have been included in your precious daughters arrival. We have prayed for you all,for several months now, especially for this day, and for the peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for allowing us in this very special and most sacred time. We pray that every minute would be like an hour and that sweet baby Copeland will sense how much she is loved every second she is with her family. May God bless you and may He shine His grace & love upon you all...

Anonymous said...

God Bless you both, Boothe. I just weep as I read about Copeland. It brings back some sweet memories of our time with Madeline. I am so amazed at the strength that God gives you. I am praying for sweet time with her and that she does well with her feeding tube.

Mandy

Kimmiemcneely said...

I prayed for your family every day and especially during this hymn in church on Sunday:

Hymn of Promise

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Anonymous said...

Booth and Conor,
I am praying for your precious family. May the Lord continue to give you the strength He has thus far. Your love and recognition of His blessings are exceptional. Every moment counts!
Love,
Bridget Carraway Penaskovic

Katie Caldwell said...

Boothe,

Your faith is fierce and sets an example for even the strong at heart. Thank you for sharing this time with us. Even though we are at a distance, we are praying for you and your family.

Love,
Katie and Lee Caldwell

Anonymous said...

Boothe-
May Lord wrap His arms of comfort and peace about you this day. May you know His love as never before.
My best friend also had a trisomy 18 baby. She has a very similiar story. I will get my friends name and number to you if you'd like.
In Christ,
Amie Beth Shaver
(friend of Meredith Kynerd)

Anonymous said...

your family is amazing!!! i will pray everyday for your beautiful little girl. you are an inspiration to me, i would hope i could have the faith you and your family are showing others thru this page. just keep holdong onto Jesus.

love,
holly glover

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